Spencer Gratz, a North Hills Middle School student from Ross Township, won his third consecutive regional title at the American Tae Kwon Do Association Northeast District championships June 10 in Lancaster.
A 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Gratz won the title in ATA creative weapons for 11- and 12-year olds. His previous district titles include traditional forms in 2022 and traditional weapons in 2021.
Gratz, 12, has been studying Tae Kwon Do since he was 5. He started his training in 2016 at North Hills ATA and will be testing for his 3rd degree black belt in the near future. In that time, he has competed in more than 40 martial arts tournaments.
He has won more than 150 awards, including nine state titles. His titles included traditional sparring and team sparring. During the pandemic, Gratz continued to train at home and competed virtually in seven ATA tournaments, earning two virtual state titles in traditional forms and weapons.
This year, Gratz has qualified to compete at the ATA Worlds Tournament of Champions event in Phoenix, Ariz., in July. At last year’s ATA Worlds competition, he placed third in the world for his creative weapons form, earning a bronze medal.
Gratz said the secrets to his success are “listening to my instructors, lots of practice and my awesome parents.”
